How to Ambush a Guest
Reported by Melanie - September 14, 2004 -
Today's (September 14, 2004) Dayside w/Linda Vester included a segment with guest Dick Harpootlian, Fmr. South Carolina DNC Chairman. The segment was advertised as balancing yesterday's appearance by Pat Caddell. (See my post titled: "A Leading Democrat," FNC Style.)
It was anything but.
I would like to make my comment here, instead of at the end: As you read this post, bear in mind the alleged purpose of the segment. Pat Caddell was on yesterday discussing the sorry state of the Kerry campaign, and supposedly Harpoolitan is on today to give "the other point of view." Notice how this interview is completely hijacked by Linda Vester, how Harpootlian is essentially used as a prop for Fox to further humiliate Kerry and Democrats, and to begin its bashing of "Operation Fortunate Son." Note too how Vester defends the discredited Swift Boat veterans, as well as Karl Rove.
Introducing Harpootlian, Vester said, "to be fair and balanced, today we have the other point of view" and then she showed two clips from yesterday's Caddell interview: one in which Caddell said the DNC has been hijacked by "politico crypto gangsters," and the other in which Caddell said the "other day [McAuliffe was] calling the President of the United States a liar. What is wrong with these people?" (COMMENT: Here, Fox takes the opportunity to re-air two of the most anti-Democrat statements Caddell made yesterday.)
Harpootlian is invited to speak. He points out that Caddell ran Carter's campaign against Reagan so he's made mistakes himself. He wondered why we are debating Vietnam when Medicare payments are going up, we've no health care policies, drug prices are increasing and we're involved in a war in Iraq. The audience clapped.
Vester agreed but asked Harpootlian why the Democratic party is launching it's "Operation Fortunate Son" campaign, and then she read an email which said that Kerry has been outraged for weeks every time his military service is questioned, but now he's doing the same to Bush.
Harpootlian responded, saying that the Swift Boat ads were "despicable...." Vester interrupted with "That is an independent group of Vietnam veterans." Harpootlian continued, saying they were despicable, disgusting, commercials crafted by Karl Rove. Vester: "I'm sorry but I think that is a canard. I've interviewed the Swift Boat veterans and they are Vietnam vets who are genuinely angry about what John Kerry said about them in l971...." Harpootlian: "I understand." Vester: "...and they're not puppets of Karl Rove." Harpootlian noted again that the discussion had turned to military service instead of Social Security or Medicare.
Vester went to an audience member who said that Bush didn't bring up his own military service and he's not trying to run on it like Kerry is. Harpootlian responded that we shouldn't be talking about what happened 35 years ago but about Iraq, and the next four years.
Vester said she thought he'd get universal agreement on that but said "that's what I'm getting back to, the DNC's bringing it up." Harpootlian replied: "Well, I think they're wrong to do that," to which Vester said, "Ah hah!"
Harpootlian again tried to discuss other issues but Vester interrupted: "Before we let the Fortunate Son thing go, I just have to share some emails that were humorous...okay?" Vester then read an email which said that it's ridiculious for Kerry to contrast his situation with that of a fortunate son, based on where his money comes from, then Vester told of another email which suggested that "the RNC should retaliate with 'Operation Fortunate Husband.'" She said "I say that as a joke but it does open up a vulnerability if the DNC's going to go there." Harpootlian said this was "Paris Hilton politics," and again tried to talk about jobs and Medicare.
Vester then turned to a very angry audience member who pointed out that the Iraqi people now have opportunities for jobs and health care. Harpootlian said "America first, honey." Back to the same audience member who said, John Kerry is "the original Judas who's throwing his metals away and aiding and abetting the enemy by everything he's saying."
Vester said, "Wait, wait. We're going to call it. We're going to call it on that one because you said let's get off Vietnam. Let's get off Vietnam. Let's do it." (COMMENT: Fox's points having been made and the damage done.)
Harpooltian got in a few last sentences about unemployment, gas prices and jobs and the interview ended.
